The aluminium industry—a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and technology—is now at a critical juncture. Global demand for aluminium is set to increase by nearly 40 per cent by 2030 1. Thus, the industry faces the dual challenge of scaling production while cutting carbon emissions. Is it possible for the industry to make profits while helping save the planet? Some firms certainly think so!
Aluminium, a metal that is indispensable in a wide range of applications, from solar panels to smartphones, also carries the significant environmental burden of high greenhouse gas emissions. The shift towards greener aluminium production is not just an environmental imperative, but a crucial step towards sustainable growth. Let’s explore some of the innovative initiatives being undertaken by key players in the aluminium industry and how they are reshaping the industry into a model of sustainability.
Initiatives at the production stage: Aluminium smelting
Fuel alternatives in aluminium smelting
Aluminium smelting traditionally relies on carbon-intensive fuels like coke. However, the industry is exploring greener alternatives. Hydroelectric power has been a leader in this change. For instance, 2Norsk Hydro’s plants in Norway utilise abundant hydroelectric power. This significantly reduces carbon emissions. Another promising avenue is liquid hydrogen. Rio Tinto and Alcoa have started trial projects. These projects aim to use hydrogen in smelting processes. Hydrogen is yet to be economically feasible on a large scale. However, hydrogen production and storage innovations could make it a viable choice.
Advanced plants and machinery
The adoption of this innovative technology is crucial in minimising emissions. Automated AI-driven systems optimise consumption and reduce waste. For example, the 3 ELYSIS project, a joint venture between Alcoa and Rio Tinto, employs inert anode technology. This emits oxygen instead of carbon during the smelting process. This technology is currently in the pilot stages. If scaled successfully, it promises to revolutionise aluminium production.
Effluent capture and processing
Effluent capture and processing play a pivotal role in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. Modern facilities employ advanced scrubbing systems to capture and process harmful emissions. Rio Tinto’s 4 Alma smelter in Quebec uses state-of-the-art technology to reduce fluoride and SO2 emissions. This demonstrates that environmental sustainability can coexist with large-scale industrial operations.
Aluminium recycling: A key to carbon reduction
Recycling aluminium presents a significant opportunity for carbon reduction. Producing aluminium from recycled scrap requires only around 5 per cent of the energy used in primary production. According to the International Aluminium Institute, recycling saves approximately 90 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Companies like Novelis, which recycles 61 per cent of its aluminium, exemplify how recycling can significantly slash carbon emissions while meeting the growing demand for aluminium.
Recent R&D initiatives and challenges
Research and development (R&D) are not just at the heart, they are the driving force behind decarbonisation efforts. The collaboration between 5 Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) is a testament to this. Their goal is to enhance carbon footprint accounting and implement cutting-edge technologies. For instance, dltledgers, a Singaporean tech company, is providing a blockchain to track and reduce carbon footprints accurately, inspiring others to join the cause.
However, the road to mass adoption could be difficult. High costs, technological limitations, and the need for significant infrastructure upgrades are barriers. For example, while inert anode technology is full of promise, its mass-scale use requires large capital investment and technological ironing.
Future outlook: Strategies for aluminium decarbonisation
The future of the aluminium industry hinges on its ability to innovate and collaborate as more nations and corporations commit to carbon neutrality. The aluminium industry must continue to develop and adopt new technologies. Initiatives like the Qatar-Singapore Joint Innovation Challenge highlight the importance of international collaboration in achieving these goals. The industry’s transition to greener practices is not just a possibility but an inevitability. It is driven by the pressing need to combat climate change.
More than sixty per cent of the 6 aluminium sector’s 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2e emissions (2018) are from the production of electricity consumed during the smelting process, making it the largest target for decarbonisation. To address this, the industry can either transition to renewable energy or implement carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies.
While the aluminium industry faces significant challenges in its decarbonisation journey, ongoing initiatives and technological advancements provide a hopeful outlook. Through sustained innovation and global collaboration, the industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.
1 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/aluminium-demand-how-to-make-it-sustainable/
6https://international-aluminium.org/resource/aluminium-sector-greenhouse-gas-pathways-to-2050-2021/